The bent-over woman in the Bible as the scripture named her had a health issue that affected her physical status. She was bent-over for eighteen years. Her health did not stand well with her and she also needed the miracle of Jesus Christ to turn things around for her.
In our today’s society, some women are looking up to God for a miracle and a total turnaround. Some are going to the North or the South for a miracle but it is only God that can save and deliver from all the mishaps on earth.
The Bent-over Woman in the Bible
The bent-over woman in the Bible was a living testimony. Jesus healed her on the Sabbath day. Her healing has become a source of strength for Christians to hold on to the omnipotent nature of God.
No miracle cannot be performed by God. Jesus is the healer of all sorts of diseases and ailments.
Recently, I engaged in a discussion with a woman who is never tired of testifying about the miracle of God in her life.
As she was basking in the euphoria of God’s miracles in her household. She emphasized to me: “Sister, Jesus is not tired of doing miracles. God has been performing wonders and miracles and he is still doing it today to the glory of his name.
The number of waiting years is nothing on God’s end, what matters is the willingness to wait for God’s appointed time.
1. The Bent-over Woman Waited on God
Luke 13:11
“And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.”
Luke 13:11(ESV)
Eighteen years could have been enough for the bent-over woman to turn away from God and go seek help from other sources but she waited on Him for His appointed time and God came through for her.
It might have been that the miracle that could have been performed by other sources would heal her sickness, temporarily, but she waited for God’s time, the best time for permanent and perfect healing.
2. She Believed in the Power of God
Luke 13:10
“Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.”
Luke 13:10 (ESV)
The bent-over woman believed in the power that came from Jesus’ teachings. That urged Jesus to speak into her life and situation to establish a total turnaround for her miracle.
The bent-over woman believed in God and she patiently waited for Him. She believed that Jesus can heal her of any ailment and she held unto Him for a miracle.
3. She was Expectant not Minding the Number of Years
Luke 13:11
“And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.”
Luke 13:11(ESV)
The number of years was nothing in the heart of the bent-over woman. Her total hope was nothing in God, she entrusted her hope and all concerns to God.
The bent-over woman waited for eighteen years and God’s hand was on her life for the better.
4. She was Patient
The bent-over woman was patient all through the number of her waiting years. She exercised patience in her life.
She exercised patience to the fullest of her ability. This characteristic enabled and encouraged her to wait on God.
5. She was Physically Bent in the Body but Not Bent in the Spirit
The bent-over woman was bent in her physical body but she was not bent in the spirit. She was made whole in the physical and this made to be healed. Her spirit was responsive and active to Jesus’ teachings.
The bent-over woman’s spirit was hopeful in God that someday, He will perfect his miracle and make it a realization although it was not fast approaching yet she did not give up on God.
6. The Bent-over Woman Never Gave Up on God
The woman never gave up on God all through her waiting years. There are so many women out there that could have looked for another god or they could have gone diabolical.
She never looked elsewhere. She remained true to God. She remained faithful to God and entrusted Him with His words and promises upon her life.
She never gave up on God no matter how long she had waited on him. She entrusted the totality of herself to God and God never gave up on her too.
7. She Responded Positively to Jesus’ Calling in her Life
Luke 13:12
“When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.”
Luke 13:12 (ESV)
She responded positively to Jesus’s calling in her life. When Jesus called her she responded immediately and she was instantly healed of her ailments.
She never gave up on God nor did anything that could have made her not be responsive to God’s call in her life. The bent-over woman responded to God’s calling in her life and she was constantly healed of her ailments.
Knowing fully well that Jesus will one day show up in her situation, she remained on the alert and Jesus came through for her.
8. She had Faith in God
Luke 13:13
“And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.”
Luke 13:13 (ESV)
She has faith in God, and that was the reason for her instant miracle.
The bent over woman’s faith in God paved a way for perfection in her life. When Jesus’ message was being preached at the synagogue, she opened up her mind and Jesus performed a miracle in her life.
9. She Keyed into Jesus’ message
Luke 13:10
“Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.”
Luke 13:10 (ESV)
The biblical sick woman keyed into Jesus’ miracle. The bent-over woman trusted and hoped in God for a total turnaround in her life. She keyed in and Jesus perfected her healing.
The message acted as a pathway for the perfection of Jesus’ miracle in her life.
10. The Bent-over Woman Never Questioned the Miracle of Jesus Christ
Luke 13:14
“But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.”
Luke 13:14 (ESV)
Unlike the Rulers of the synagogue, the bent-over woman never prevented Jesus from healing her. She was willing and hopeful in God, although She knew the rules that governed the people of the synagogue.
11. The Bent-over Woman fixed her mind and her total Hope in God
Luke 13:12
“When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.”
Luke 13:12 (ESV)
The bent-over woman fixed her mind and her total hope in God. The woman never divided her mind or integrity for anything. She depended on God and God magnified His name by healing her.
12. The Bent-over Woman had a Thankful Heart
Luke 13:13
“And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.”
Luke 13:13 (ESV)
Unlike other sick people that were healed by God through the son, Jesus Christ, the bent-over woman thanked God immediately after she was healed.
She showed appreciation to Jesus and became thankful to Him for the miracle He performed for her. This made Jesus to be protective of her.
Conclusion
The book of Luke 13:10-14 says everything about the woman that was called a bent-over woman. This was not the condition she was born with but infirmity made her name be of no value; she was addressed according to her condition.
Although it was a Sabbath day, it did not prevent Jesus from perfecting her condition. God healed and restored her through Jesus Christ. After her miracle, she’s non longer referred to as a bent-over woman in the Bible, instead, her name changed with dignity.
It does not matter what a woman passes through, when Jesus steps into the situation, the situation turns around for good. Her faith, hope, total dependence, persistence and belief paved way for her miracle and complete healing and restoration.
So what is that challenging situation in your life, strengthen your faith with the story of the bent-over woman and your days of travail and sorrows shall soon pass away.
